Guide RSC
PARADIGM SHIFT
The new SRAM Guide RSC is packed with ride-enhancing performance that makes every new trail a trusted old friend. We started from scratch, to create the perfect combination of braking reliability and control. Brand-new SwingLink™ technology provides more power, silky-smooth modulation, less deadband and better lever-feel than you’ve ever experienced. Steep-line confidence. Deep-corner dominance. Ride every trail like you own it. KNOW YOU CAN. Now featuring the World Championship-winning S4 caliper with Bleeding Edge™ and Heat Shield technologies.
USD: $205
Euro: €214
Euro MSRP includes VAT
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Some variations of this product featured on this page are not available for purchase and are installed on bicycles as original equipment only. See your dealer for details.
*Maximum Suggested Retail Price
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Specs
Specifications for Guide RSC
| Weight | 381g |
| Lever Material | Aluminum |
| Caliper Design | 4-piston, dual diameter caliper |
| Finish | Polished Silver Ano, Black Ano |
| Rotor | Centerline |
| Pad | Steel-backed organic |
| Fluid | DOT 5.1 |
| Mount | Ambidextrous |
| Adjustment | Tool-free Reach Adjust, Contact Point Adjust, Banjo Adjust |
| Special Features | Tool-free Reach Adjust, Contact Point Adjust, Piggyback Reservoir, MatchMaker™ X compatible, Bleeding Edge™, Heat Shield |
| Technology Highlight(s) | SwingLink™, PURE™ Bladder, Timing Port Closure, Lever Pivot Bearings, Bleeding Edge™, Heat Shield |
| Material | Forged aluminum |
| Pad / Holder | Top-loading |
| Intended Use | TR/AM/FR |
| System | Open System |
| Rotor Sizes | 140 (rear), 160, 170, 180, 200mm |
| Tri-Align Caliper Positioning System | No |
| Tool-Free Pad Replacement | Yes |
| Bend Zone™ | Yes |
| Ambidextrous | Yes |
| Stainless Hardware | Yes |
| Other | Now featuring the World Championship-winning S4 caliper with Bleeding Edge™ and Heat Shield technologies. |
Technology
- Bleeding Edge
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Bleeding Edge™ technology makes bleeding brakes quick and simple. An updated fluid path and bleed porting make it easier to push fluid through the caliper. A dedicated bleed adapter plugs into the bleed port and seals the system to minimize air contamination and fluid loss.
- Contact Point Adjustment™
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Some people like the instantaneous power of a short lever throw. Others prefer the feel of a longer throw. With Contact Point Adjust, you can pick the position you want your fingers to be in when your brakes are engaged. It’s a quick and easy way to customize the feel of your brakes without having to move the pads. It’s also a way to balance both brake levers to feel exactly the same.
- Expandable Bladder
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SRAM’s new brake lever design includes a reshaped bladder that helps regulate and reduce air bubbles. The bladder is specifically shaped to evacuate air from the lever and push the fluid exactly where it’s needed. The result is improved back-pressure relief, which produces dependable braking power and consistency.
- Heat Shield
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The stainless steel heat shields breaks the thermal connection between the pad and caliper body, reducing caliper fluid temperature by about 20C even in the most extreme testing conditions.
- Lever Pivot Bearings
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Precision sealed bearings at the lever pivot enhance the clean, crisp lever actuation and consistent, light, one-finger feel.
- MatchMaker and MMX Compatible
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Save weight and clutter on the bar with Matchmaker. It holds Avid levers, SRAM® triggers, and various RockShox® controls, all with one tidy, light, clamp--a dream come true for handlebar component footprint conservationists the world over. Available in two versions: Matchmaker™ X integrates the RockShox®XLoc and is compatible with XX and X0 brakes. Standard Matchmaker™is also available and works with any split-clamp design and RockShox® PushLoc.
- PiggyBack™ Reservoir
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The brake fluid reservoir on SRAM’s latest lever design is optimized for both performance and ease of use. The PiggyBack Reservoir offers a simple, failsafe way to manage brake fluid, and also allows for ambidextrous lever placement—so you can switch your levers on the handlebar and run them moto without hassle.
- Reach Adjust
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Brake lever fit and feel is a personal thing. Riders have individual positioning preferences, as well as unique hand sizes and finger lengths. Reach Adjust makes it easy to adjust your lever for maximum one-finger control for everyone.
- SwingLink™
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Squeeze a new SRAM brake lever and you notice it immediately. Less deadband. More positive pad engagement. A new cam system requires less lever throw to push the pads toward the rotor. That’s great, but there’s more to perfect braking performance than just power. You need control. Many brake systems minimize deadband—but at the cost of modulation. SwingLink solves that with its special cam shape. When the pads contact the rotor, power is modulated, avoiding that “on/off” brake feel. It’s the perfect balance of power and precision.
- Timing Port Closure
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A hydraulic brake’s timing port is the connection between the reservoir and the master cylinder bore. When the lever is squeezed, a cup seal passes this area and closes the port, which pressurizes the system. SRAM’s new timing port closure system features durable seals and an ultra-smooth cylinder bore finish, producing dependable braking power and consistency.
Service
Documents Available for Guide RSC
Related Service Documents
| Type | Title | Languages |
|---|---|---|
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Service Manual 2017-2019 Guide RSC English (3.48 MB) | English |
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SRAM: Disc Brake Bed-In Procedure | English / Deutsch / Français |
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User Manual MTB Disc Brakes and Shifters (4.07 MB) | English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Italiano / Português / 日本語 / 简体中文 |
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Bleed Manual MTB Disc Brake Hose Shortening and Bleed (5.3 MB) | English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Italiano / Nederlands / Português / 日本語 / 简体中文 |
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Disc Brake Caliper Mounting Specifications Road and MTB (2.97 MB) | English |
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SRAM MTB: Bleeding Edge Brake Bleed | English |
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VIDEO - SRAM MTB: Guide Series Brake Service | English |
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SRAM - Stealth-a-majig Hose Shortening Video | English |
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User Manual MTB Disc Brake Pad Replacement Rev A (3.26 MB) | English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Italiano / Nederlands / Português / 日本語 / 简体中文 |
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SRAM MTB Guide RSC, RS, R, and DB5 (Model Year 2016 and Earlier) Hydraulic Brake Bleed | English |
See more documents available for SRAM MTB products.
SRAM Warranty (2.19 MB, PDF)
Reviews
Industry Reviews
Reviews
“These are good brakes. In fact, assuming we don’t start hearing reports of Elixir-style bleeding issues, these are great brakes. Besides switching back to a tried-and-true timing-port master cylinder, a new SwingLink linkage reduces deadband, increases power, and improves feel. Top it off with a new quiet rotor design and this brake is ready to compete against the best in the business.”
Notoriously known for his love of Shimano brakes, acclaimed BIKE Mag editor Ryan Palmer changed his tune saying : “I’m sick of keeping my mouth shut. The Guide RSC is the best brake I’ve ever ridden. Period.”
A video project diving deep into the history of the Avid and SRAM brakes started almost a year ago with BIKE Magazine. The BLUEPRINT video series on BIKE Magazine focuses on past and present developments that bring a certain product technologies to success, providing a unique and candid look at the make-up of a component.
BIKE Magazine gear editors Ryan Palmer and Vernon Felton concluded the new SRAM Guide brake line up to be one of the most consistent, reliable and highest performing brakes they have ever ridden.